Of course, the Jeep is in its element off road, where its four-wheel drive system keeps you going when rivals get stranded. But it’s a less impressive car on asphalt; the 268bhp 2.0-litre petrol is punchy but thirsty, while the lifeless steering and crashy ride remind you of the Wrangler’s military ancestors.
“If you want an off-roader that’s virtually unstoppable over challenging terrain, the Wrangler clearly has what it takes.” – Steve Walker, head of digital content, who tested the Wrangler in the UK
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10. Volkswagen Touareg
The Volkswagen Touareg might not be the first vehicle you think of if rufty-tufty 4x4s are the game, but VW’s biggest SUV (in Europe at least) has always had a little more up its sleeve than meets the eye. Early models were known for the ability to pump up the air suspension for huge ground clearance, and the latest model is similarly equipped, letting you lift the body 258mm above the ground – that’s actually more than standard versions of the Jeep Wrangler.
Four-wheel steering helps for manoeuvrability too, and while the Touareg’s camera system is primarily for parking, it’s useful for spotting tough terrain too. Let’s face it; most Touaregs will be used on the road, where they are comfortable, refined, luxurious, and powered by muscular diesel and hybrid powertrains, if also somewhat expensive these days.
“Both the V6 diesel and petrol engines give the Touareg a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, which is similar to most of its premium SUV rivals.” – Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter, drove the Touareg in the UK.